National Lampoons Christmas vacation and European vacation Pre Title Sequence Analysis

Lampoons European Vacation

Even though the quality in this video is quite bad, I still feel that this is a brilliant title sequence and that this could be along the lines of a title sequence that I may want to do. This pre title sequence is brilliant for the way the titles come up and it all flows.

• ·      I think the using of titles and typology is used very effectively in this title sequence as when they guy stamps to show where this guy has been on holiday, it also stamps the actors name on the passport. To me this is very effective and smartly done as it makes the title sequence flow and just looks good as it blends in within the passport.
  ·      The typology used is the same as the stamp typology, but changed slightly in its own way to make it better and in my opinion I think this is the best I’ve seen with regards to fluidity since catch me if you can.
  ·      Also typology communicates something else to the audience as they are shown the main character passport have cancelled stamped a crossed it that makes you think that the holiday he maybe going on might go wrong.
  ·      The music is also once again indicating something to the audience as the lyrics are ‘holiday road’ this suggests that maybe this film isn’t necessarily about the flying aspect but can be about driving as well.
  ·      The audience are shown the film title on the same passport and in the same typology as used on the other characters name, once again very effective.
  ·      Three more characters names are shown within the pre title sequence in the same way as the first character, this could also suggest they too will be on holiday with the first guy, also it suggests to the audience that there is a link between these characters.
  ·      Even more brilliant typography mixed with visuals used as we are shown two characters who are shown to not actually have names so far and are called ‘the thief’ and ‘the bike rider’ but these two are also shown on the passport and the fluidity between showing one character and then the next is superb as one of the pass port pages is bent over and reveals the next character and his name is stamped over the folded pages which just makes the sequence flow so much.
  ·      Also there is a contrast between characters here as we are shown two characters, one with a smile and one looking devious also the page is folded between the two which could suggest to the audience that they are opposites and that one is nice and one is mean.
  ·      Just after we are shown these two characters we are shown more shots of passports, but it starts to get messy as a cup of coffee is knocked onto it which could suggest that this will be a messy holiday for those four who maybe travelling.
  ·      However this coffee spill then carries on to add to the effectiveness of this scene as the messy airport passport checker wipes away the spilt coffee and caries on stamping out the titles, for me the scene doesn’t ever stop flowing and just fits perfectly in with the music played and the visuals on screen.
  ·      Also the things such as the spilt coffee and the now ripped off piece of paper suggests to the audience that wherever the main character is going, you can tell that they are very clumsy and do not care for the persons passport who is entering their country.
  ·      The pre title sequence just keeps getting better in my opinion when referring to the fluidly s when we see more of the titles, a page is ripped to reveal the next title and this just works in terms of the fluidness of the title sequence.
  ·      Also the audience could think that because of all the things that have happened such as the ripped pages and coffee spill and now the cigar dropping on the passport, it once again suggests this will be a messy film with plenty of mistakes by the characters and plenty of mishaps.
  ·      Also the theme of international is carried on through the visuals right up to the end when we are shown a cigar, not many people smoke cigars in Britain, they mostly come from international countries.
  ·      Also the audience could most probably tell through he visuals and typology working together that this will be a comedy as this pre title sequence is already mocking airport passport checkers in saying that they are useless at there job and that they make a lot of mess and have no care for there job at all. 
  
  
  
  

·        In conclusion I think that this pre title sequence is one of the best I’ve ever seen since catch me of you can, it’s the best I’ve ever seen just for its fluidity and how it flows from one title to the next and how it shows each character with so much rhythm according to the music. To me every aspect of this pre title sequence best describes the codes and conventions of pre title sequences and how they should be. As the pre title sequence tells a little story within itself and gives the audience that little taster as what the film maybe like. It also entertains the audience fully in the way it has been created and shown to the audience and if I had the choice on how to best base my pre title sequence, I would do it like this one and change it in my own way to make it my own idea and attempt to make it better.

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

• sound straight from the start indicates to the audience that this is a christmas song, we are able to tell this as all the signs of christmas music are there, from the high tones of the tambourines used and the music that wants to make you sing along.
• we are able to tell this film is set around christmas by the lyrics of the music used... 'christmas vacation'.
• the first shot we see is of the moon in the dark starlit sky. We then see santa's reindeer go across the screen which indicates for sure to the audience that the film is something to do with christmas or around the christmas time.
• also we as the audience can already tell that this is a cheery light hearted film as the music is nice and the santa clause going across the screen indicates that it is a time of happiness as its christmas.
• the typology used is very bold white lettering which unlike the pre title sequence before, sticks out of the visuals like a soar thumb and does not flow.
• the typology used is white, bold, capital lettering.
• when we get the first sighting of the sleigh and santa we cannot see that it is animated, however when we get a proper look at him and the colors that go with him, we can clearly tell that this is an animated pre title sequence, which could suggest at first that the film is for kids.
• the name we are shown by the visuals on the animated father christmas is of 'Griswold' this indicates the film maybe around this family.
• the point above also tells us that perhaps this family always gets left to last and most probably always gets the short end of the stick.
• we are shown the first indication that this film is a comedy through the way that santa tries to clim onto the Griswold house from his sleigh but the snow gives way and he falls. Suggests that their house could have things go wrong with it and that humor maybe involved with their house within the film.
• the father christmas and the snowman could suggest to the audience that this is in fact a family film as it communicates to the audience that there is a family with quite young kids involved with this film which maybe the Griswold family.
• another comedy element has been shown within this pre title sequence which suggests more to the audience that this is a family comedy as santa attempts to put the button back on the snow man but it ends up falling and chasing after him.
• comedy is shown more and more as the pre title sequence continues as santa puts his finger into a broke light bulb and gets electrocuted, this and many of the other things that happen to santa throughout the pre title sequence could be the reason why the Griswold family has been left to last as it is the house and family that causes the most problems.
• the end of this pre title sequence communicates to the audience that there will be non stop comedy used in this film as we see plenty more stupid things happen to santa that accidentally happen but leave us smiling at it as we find it funny in our minds.

In-conclusion, i think the animation of this pre title sequence really does add to the comedy of this as it allows the pre title sequence designer to communicate comedy and the family feeling in any way possible through the animation of of all the visuals and the father christmas himself. There are two main elements communicated throughout this pre title sequence which are the family element and the comedy element. The family element is indicated to the audience through its use of father christmas and the snowman, but also through its use of the christmas time of happiness and celebration. The comedy element of the pre title sequence is communicated to the audience through its use of the animated father christmas within the sequence as funny stupid things happen to him by accident because of some of the faults of the Griswold families house.